Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT A36 ‘Karoola’ 29.2.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 7th Reinforcement, 11th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.
Beasley disembarked with the 11th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement in Egypt. After a period of intensive training, he entrained to Alexandria and joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. He was promoted to Corporal 7.3.1915 and Lance Sergeant 25.5.1915. His unit embarked for the Dardanelles per HMAT ‘Berrima’ 31.7.1915. The 11th Battalion was involved in preparatory attacks prior to the Battle of Lone Pine in August 1915. Beasley reverted to Rank at his own request whilst at ANZAC 4.8.1915. Beasley on was wounded in action, although his records also describe him as suffering from dysentery. He was wounded in action and received a gunshot wound to his right arm and was transferred by the 2nd Field Ambulance to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station 13.8.1915. Beasley was transferred by Hospital Ship ‘Ascanius’ to Mudros with dysentery and gunshot wound to the Lowlands Casualty Clearing Station 20.8.1915. He was transferred to Malta as an invalid 27.8.1915, then invalided to England. (Reported in West Australian Newspaper 3.12.1915). Beasley was discharged from Hospital, passed as fit for service and rejoined his unit 19.10.1915 at ANZAC. Following evacuation from Gallipoli in December 1915, the 11th Battalion returned to Egypt and was split and some soldiers went to the newly formed 51st Battalion. Beasley was appointed Lance Corporal with the 51st Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir 18.1.1916. He was promoted to Corporal 17.3.1916. Beasley was briefly hospitalised with septic sore on his face. He rejoined his unit at the outer canal line 13.5.1916. Beasley was promoted to Lance Corporal at the Railhead Suez 25.5.1916.
His unit entrained to Alexandria, joined the British Expeditionary Force and embarked per ‘Ivernia’ for France 5.6.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 12.6.1916. Beasley was hospitalised in July 1916 for 4 weeks. His Battalion moved into the trenches on the Somme within a fortnight of disembarkation and fought at Mouquet Farm in August and September. He rejoined his unit 21.8.1916 and was promoted to Sergeant 22.8.1916. Beasley was reported Missing in Action in the Field 3.9.1916 in the Battle at Mouquet Farm. This was recorded in the local papers (West Australian Newspaper 14.10.1916). The Court of Enquiry 23.4.1917 determined that Beasley was KIA in France 3.9.1916. He was buried in the field and a memorial cross erected at Villers-Bretonneux R27d 3.3, sheet 57 d SE. Beasley is commemorated at Villers-Bretonneux War Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Villers-Bretonneux Area, Picardie, France.
Final Rank Sergeant, ‘C’ Company, 51st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Brother Harold Gascoyne Beasley also served.
Photos  Robert Beasley. Post card to Daphne Gill 1915. Image from Gill Collection, reproduced courtesy C.Warren
              Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P00591.002
              Mouquet Farm 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00005
              Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph source H17454

Information Source
AWM P00591.002. Gallipoli. Hospital barge carrying sick and wounded  to Hospital Ships. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00005. Mouquet Farm 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H17454. Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Robert Guildford Beasley
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour- Robert Guildford Beasley
Gill Collection. Robert Beasley. Post card to Daphne Gill 1915. Image from Gill Collection, reproduced courtesy C. Warren
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455 Beasley R G 2347
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
St Matthew’s -Fallen
West Australian Newspaper
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

20 East Street, Guildford, WA.

Associated Images